Several measures were announced on October 3rd, enhancing the government's support of New Brunswick's French-language medical program.
These include the renewal of funding agreements for medical education, eight additional medical seats and development funding for eight additional medical residency training seats for the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick.
"For nearly 20 years, the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick has been an incredible partner that has developed many new doctors to care for New Brunswickers," said Post-Secondary Education and Training Minister Jean-Claude D'Amours. "Educating doctors within the province is critical to our recruitment efforts, and we are thrilled to strengthen our support for this program."
"Investing in these programs gets us a step closer to ensuring every New Brunswicker has access to the care they need when they need it," said Health Minister John Dornan. "The province needs doctors, and we are proud to expand our collective efforts to eliminate shortages in the health system."
The total funding commitment for medical seats at the centre is about $77 million. This includes the eight additional seats that will become available in the fall of 2026. In addition, the government will provide $1.8 million in 2025-26 and $3.6 million per year in subsequent years to prepare for the eight new postgraduate residency training seats, which will be in place by 2030. This funding will go toward things such as faculty recruitment and training, curriculum development and administrative support.
The number of medical seats at the centre will increase to 40 from 32, and bring the province's total to 80; the others are located at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick.
Francophone residency training program seats in New Brunswick will increase to 26 from 18 and bring the province's total to 61 by 2030. The government also funds 38 residency training program seats in other provinces.
"The addition of new pre-doctoral and post-doctoral residency seats marks a pivotal moment for francophone medical education," said Dr. Nicole LeBlanc, director of the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick. "This investment is more than numbers; it translates into tangible care for our communities and reflects a collective commitment to building a health system that is accessible, in French, and adapted to the needs of our population."
An additional $4 million is being provided for infrastructure upgrades and to prepare the centre's space to eventually support more medical seats on the Université de Moncton campus. That funding will be provided over four years.
"Université de Moncton is proud to contribute to this unifying project, which brings together governments, university partners and health networks," said university president and vice-chancellor Denis Prud'homme. "Together, we are advancing access to health care and reaffirming the strategic role of the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick for the future of our province."
